Rangers’ Ryan notices Astros’ improvement

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The Astros haven’t been a typical sub-.500 team, entering Friday with a run differential of plus-10 (fifth in the National League) that belies their losing record.

The team’s improvement from last season hasn’t gone unnoticed by Rangers president Nolan Ryan, who is the managing partner of the Ryan-Sanders group that owns the Astros’ Class AA Corpus Christi affiliate.

“They’re playing better than I anticipated them being this year,” Ryan said. “I base that on the lack of success we’ve had in Corpus the last five years, how many kids who have come off that Corpus team who are up here playing now. You’ve got to give Brad (Mills) and his coaches a lot of credit. They’re playing well, playing hard. I’m pleased with what I’ve seen so far from them.

“I think maybe the rebuilding process might not be as far away as people were saying six months ago.”

Lyles welcomes more of a routine

Jordan Lyles is getting into a routine, which for him, is hardly routine.
Lyles’ last five starts have been in Class AAA, MLB, AAA, AAA and MLB, with both big league starts on the road, leading to a frequent-flier existence that is not conducive to the regimented five days of a pitcher’s mini-life-cycles. But Sunday’s start will mark some much sought-after continuity and finally a home start.

“It’s good to know I’m getting another start and (will) be with the team for those five days,” Lyles said.

Logistics aside, he has worked with two pitching coaches in Doug Brocail and Class AAA pitching coach Burt Hooton.

“The message is pretty much consistent, but every guy has different ideas, and it’s helpful to hear other perspectives,” Lyles said. “But overall, we’re all on the same team trying to make me the best pitcher I can be.”

After giving up six runs (four earned) in 12 innings in his first two starts, this will be his toughest test against the highly potent Rangers offense. Lyles made two starts against Texas last year, giving up eight earned runs in 13 innings.

Korean team buys Sosa’s rights

The Astros have sold the rights to pitcher Henry Sosa to the Kia Tigers of the Korean Baseball Organization, ending his brief tenure with the club that began last July.

Sosa, acquired in the trade with the Giants for Jeff Keppinger, had been pitching for Class AAA Oklahoma City, where he through six starts.

Last year for the Astros, Sosa had a 5.23 ERA in 10 starts, issuing 22 unintentional walks and striking out 38 in 53 1⁄3 innings.

However, he was sent through waivers unclaimed after spring training and passed over three times for spot starters in the interim, and now it appears Jordan Lyles has a hold on the No. 5 spot in Kyle Weiland’s absence.